Pattani: Minister of Justice joins forces with the masses and government agencies to move forward with the announcement of the agenda to control the illegal use of kratom in the southern border provinces, hoping for tangible results within 120 days.
According to Thai News Agency, on June 14, 2025, Pol. Col. Thawee Sodsong, Minister of Justice, chaired the activity to gather the power of religious leaders, children and youth groups to jointly announce the goal of the guideline to control the misuse of kratom plants with the power of civil society in the southern border provinces. The event was attended by more than 1,000 participants including Pol. Lt. Col. Wanpong Kotcharak, Secretary-General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center, Ms. Areephak Ngernbamrung, Deputy Secretary-General of the ONCB, Pol. Lt. Col. Narit Sondit, Director of ONCB Region 9, representatives of government agencies, religious leaders, local leaders, youth, volunteers, and civil society at the Nam Phrao Meeting Room, C.S. Pattani Hotel, Mueang Pattani District, Pattani Province.
The Minister of Justice highlighted the urgency of resolving the misuse of kratom in the southern border provinces. He stressed that the 120-day implementation must result in clear practical outcomes, beyond just planning. He emphasized that despite legal limitations and enforcement weaknesses, all units must cooperate to use existing mechanisms efficiently to achieve integration and tangible results that reduce the problem level.
To ensure that this operation yields tangible results, the Minister outlined 10 operational guidelines. These include defining roles and responsibilities in each unit, setting measurable goals prioritizing quality, creating kratom-free zones, holding monthly progress meetings, expanding religious leaders’ roles, targeting villages for drug user treatment, conducting symbolic campaigns, empowering volunteers, enhancing communication and coordination, and collecting information for proactive measures. The Minister expressed hope for cooperation from all sectors to see results within 120 days.
Additionally, a forum titled ‘Kratom Use in 5 Southern Border Provinces: Problems and Solutions under Government and Community Cooperation’ was held. Academics, local workers, and religious leaders shared insights and experiences. Key agencies outlined their plans and intentions to control kratom use, expressing a unified stance to intensively drive operations and achieve tangible outcomes swiftly.
This initiative signifies a collaborative effort among government, religious, youth, and civil society sectors to sustainably address kratom misuse. It marks the beginning of proactive operations expected to yield real results within 120 days, setting a precedent for building sustainable, drug-free communities in the southern border provinces.